Born: December 21, 1941 Primary Instrument: Sax, alto
Willie Mack is a saxophonist and flutist who has played throughout Europe as part of La Mama's European company, and with his own group, the Willie Mack Quartet. He is Chairman of the New Amsterdam Musical Association (NAMA), the oldest association of professional black musicians, organized as a response to segregationist attitudes towards the musicians, and the music that they were producing. NAMA is now a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion music education and performance in all forms. It aims to draw together trained musicians for education, concerts, performances, community jam sessions, and to expand understanding and support of musicians and their art. Most recently, Willie has been exploring the relationship between color and sound through Color Music, and working with many artists to “play their paintings”. The core/heart of the music is always will be Jazz-Straight Ahead.
Last Updated: February 1, 2009
